Air-Spring Reducer Conduit for Liquid Cooling Insertion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In direct-interface liquid-cooled rack information handling systems, the insertion of liquid-cooled nodes poses challenges due to high pressurized liquid quick connections, which require significant mechanical forces, making node insertion difficult and potentially hazardous.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a compressible fluid, such as air, within the conduits of the liquid-cooled nodes to form an air-spring reducer conduit that compresses and expands to mitigate pressure changes during node insertion, reducing the force required for quick connection with the liquid cooling subsystem.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If pressurized liquid quick connections are used for cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but insertion force becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a compressible fluid (air spring) into the hydraulic system to provide cushioning during connection. The air spring acts as a pneumatic element within the liquid cooling system, absorbing insertion forces through gas compression while maintaining liquid cooling functionality. This combines pneumatic cushioning with hydraulic cooling to resolve the force-temperature contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the fluid in the conduit from purely incompressible liquid to a two-phase system containing compressible gas bubbles. This parameter change allows the fluid to absorb mechanical energy through compression, reducing insertion forces while maintaining thermal transfer capability through the liquid phase.
2Temperature
If high pressure liquid cooling is implemented, then heat dissipation performance is improved, but system safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air spring provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-charged with compressed air ready to absorb insertion forces. This preemptive cushioning mechanism protects the high-pressure liquid cooling system from mechanical shocks and potential leaks during node insertion, thereby maintaining system safety while preserving heat dissipation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressible air spring acts as an intermediary element between the external insertion force and the high-pressure liquid cooling system. It mediates the mechanical interaction, absorbing shocks before they reach the liquid cooling components, thus protecting system safety without compromising cooling efficiency.
3Temperature
If rigid liquid cooling conduits are used, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but ease of node insertion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible element (air spring) within the rigid conduit system. This flexible gas cushion allows the rigid cooling conduits to accommodate insertion movements through elastic compression, combining the cooling effectiveness of rigid pipes with the insertion ease of flexible systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively reduces the insertion forces needed for node connection, enhancing the ease and safety of node insertion while maintaining efficient liquid cooling, thereby improving system reliability and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating a compressible fluid, such as air, within the conduits of the liquid-cooled nodes to form an air-spring reducer conduit that compresses and expands to mitigate pressure changes during node insertion
Data Source
AI summary
A direct-interface liquid-cooled (DL) Rack Information Handling System (RIHS) includes liquid cooled (LC) nodes that include a system of conduits supplying cooling liquid through the node enclosure and including a supply conduit extending from a node inlet coupling and a return conduit terminating in a node outlet coupling. The node inlet port and the node outlet port are positioned in an outward facing direction at a rear of the node enclosure and aligned to releasably seal to the respective inlet liquid port and outlet liquid port in the node-receiving slot for fluid transfer through the system of conduits. An air-spring reducer conduit is in fluid communication with the system of conduits and shaped to trap an amount of compressible fluid that compresses during sealing engagement between the node inlet coupling and node outlet coupling and the inlet liquid port and outlet liquid port, respectively.